The Senate voted to confirm Melissa Dalton to be the next Under Secretary for the Department of the Air Force, filling a role that has been vacant for over a year, the department announced last week.
Dalton will take over for Kristyn Jones who has been performing the duties of the role in an acting capacity since March 2023. Jones stepped into the position in March 2023 when former Under Secretary of the Air Force, Gina Ortiz Jones stepped down. With Dalton’s confirmation, Jones returns to her former role as the department’s comptroller.
“I’m excited to welcome Melissa to our ‘One Team.’ Her expertise and experience are what we need as we continue our efforts to address the security challenges we face in the defense of our country,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. “Her record of public service is impressive, including deployed duties in Afghanistan. The Department, our Airmen, our Guardians, and military families will benefit from her efforts and advocacy.”
President Biden nominated Dalton on Sept 21, 2023. A small group of Republican lawmakers joined Democrats to confirm Dalton’s nomination in a 56 to 39 vote.
With her confirmation, Dalton becomes the second highest ranking civilian leader at the department. She is charged with supporting Kendall in managing, organizing, training, and equipping the Air Force and Space Force.
Specifically, Dalton will support the department’s recently announced “reoptimization” plans.
Dalton most recently served as the assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs, a job she has had since March 2022. Before that, she was principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans, and capabilities. Dalton also served on the Biden-Harris administration’s Pentagon transition team.
Dalton served in the Obama and Bush administrations, and began her career as an intelligence analyst for the Defense Intelligence Agency.
